Florida State breaks school record with 11 selections in the NFL Draft

'Noles set standard for draft selections, leading all other schools with picks

Apr. 28, 2013

Xavier Rhodes of the Florida State Seminoles holds up a jersey on stage after he was picked No. 25 overall by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City. / Al Bello/Getty Images

Written by

Perry Kostidakis

Senior Staff Writer @perrykos

With EJ Manuel (Bills), Bjoern Werner (Colts) and Xavier Rhodes (Vikings) already off the board, the countdown to what Seminole players were to be drafted where had already begun.

Slowly, but surely, one by one eight more Seminoles would hear their names called, amounting to 11 picks from Florida State through seven rounds, establishing a school record.

"It's a great indication of how the program is truly developing," FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher said in an FSU press release. "I think it shows we're getting back to national prominence. Our players are doing a great job of representing themselves on and off the field leading to chances at the next level. I think we're going to have more guys sign free agent contracts and get a chance to play professionally. I'm proud of those guys as well. I'm happy for all of these guys and want to thank them for helping return this program back to the national spotlight."

After the trio in the first round, defensive end Tank Carradine and offensive lineman Menelik Watson were the next to go, with Carradine going 40th to the San Fransico 49ers, and Watson going 42nd to the Oakland Raiders.

"It's great to see Tank respond back so quickly from his injury," Fisher said. "I think it's a great pick for the 49ers. Tank was a tremendous player for us, a dominant pass rusher and run stopper that I think will do the same in the NFL. I'm very happy for him and his family. I wish him nothing but the best."

"This is awesome for Menelik," Fisher went on to add. "Seeing a guy who's only played around 20 games of football develop as fast as he has, I think he's going to have a great future in the NFL. His upside is tremendous. I'm happy for him and think he's going to be a great addition to the Raiders."

Both players were handed exciting opportunities despite the obstacles they had to overcome: Carradine suffering a season ending ACL tear against Florida, and Watson only playing one year of college football.

However, the next Seminole taken was by far the better story. Running back Chris Thompson, who recovered from a severe back injury in 2011 only to tear his ACL in 2012, was drafted in the fifth round by the Washington Redskins with the 154th pick.

"I get to play with RG3. You just can't beat that!!!!!" Thompson tweeted following his selection.

"Man I thank God for this opportunity. [Mike] Shanahan is the man."

The Redskins would then pick up defensive end Brandon Jenkins with the 162nd pick, and that’s when the proverbial floodgates broke loose.

Kicker Dustin Hopkins, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer, was chosen by Buffalo as he became just the 19th kicker to be drafted in the last seven years and the first Seminole kicker drafted since Sebastian Janikowski in 2000.

With his selection, Hopkins joins plenty of former teammates in Buffalo. Manuel, linebacker Nigel Bradham, lineman Zebrie Sanders, and punter Shawn Powell are all former ‘Noles who call the Bills home.

Linebacker Nick Moody, taken by the 49ers with 180th pick, followed Hopkins, after which linebacker Vince Williams was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 206th pick.

The last Seminole drafted was defensive tackle Everett Dawkins, who was taken with the 229th pick in the 7th round by the Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings are also stocking up on Seminoles, who had two on roster already (quarterback Christian Ponder and defensive tackle Letroy Guion). Post-draft, the Purple People Eaters have six ‘Noles on roster, one more than Buffalo.

Florida State finished with two more picks than the top three schools from the SEC (Alabama, LSU, Florida), which will be a huge recruiting point for Fisher in coming years.

The joining-together of NFL teams and former Seminoles didn’t end with the draft, however. Shortly after the draft ended, it was announced that fullback Lonnie Pryor had signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and wide receiver Rodney Smith and defensive tackle Anthony “Amp” McCloud had signed with the Vikings.

That means every Florida State player, with exception to Greg Reid, who attended the NFL combine have found an NFL Team, and with the continued success of Florida State on the field and in recruiting, expect the presence of FSU in the draft to be a constant.